Senior lead - Business, Innovation and Skills

Senior lead - Business, Innovation and Skills

Location: Tyne Coast College - Cross College Role

Are you a strategic leader with a track record of growing apprenticeships, building high-value employer relationships and turning skills priorities into real opportunities? 

Tyne Coast College is looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Senior Lead – Business, Innovation and Skills to lead our employer engagement and skills agenda at a pivotal time for technical education, apprenticeships and workforce development. Based on the North East coast, you'll play a key role in ensuring our curriculum responds to employer needs, supports economic growth and creates outstanding opportunities for learners.  

The opportunity 

This is more than an employer engagement role. It is a senior leadership position with influence across the College and beyond. 

Working closely with senior leaders, curriculum teams, employers and regional partners, you will drive growth in apprenticeships, T Level industry placements, work experience and employer-led provision. You'll help shape how the College responds to changing skills needs, qualification reform and regional economic priorities.  

You will: 

• Lead the College's employer engagement and skills strategy. 

• Grow apprenticeship provision and employer partnerships across priority sectors. 

• Build and maintain influential relationships with employers, stakeholders and strategic networks. 

• Champion innovation, workforce development and skills solutions that meet employer demand. 

• Lead high-performing teams focused on business engagement, placements and skills delivery. 

• Influence curriculum development through employer insight and labour market intelligence. 

• Drive income generation, partnership projects and sustainable business growth. 

• Represent the College regionally and nationally, strengthening our reputation and impact.  

About you 

We're looking for a confident and credible leader who combines strategic thinking with a strong understanding of the apprenticeship and skills landscape. 

You'll bring: 

• Significant experience leading apprenticeship operations and employer engagement activity. 

• A proven record of delivering results at a senior level. 

• Strong commercial awareness, including funding, performance and income generation. 

• Experience managing budgets and using data to drive decision-making. 

• Outstanding stakeholder management and partnership-building skills. 

• The ability to operate effectively across education, business and regional skills networks. 

• Excellent communication, influencing and leadership capability. 

• Degree-level qualifications or equivalent senior leadership experience.  

Why join us? 

This is a chance to make a lasting difference to learners, employers and the wider regional economy. 

You'll join a forward-thinking organisation committed to innovation, collaboration and creating opportunities that change lives. You'll have the platform to shape strategic direction, influence regional skills priorities and lead work that delivers measurable impact for communities and businesses across the North East.  

Ready to lead the future of skills? 

If you're an experienced senior leader who can build partnerships, drive growth and turn strategy into results, we'd love to hear from you. 

Join us and help shape the workforce of tomorrow. 

For an informal discussion about the role contact Deborah Marshall, Recruitment Administrator, Tyne Coast College. 

How to Apply 

For further details and to apply, please visit our website TyneCoastCollege 

Closing date: 27th July 2026

Shortlist date: 28th July 2026

Interview date: TBC